1. An Introduction to Aquaculture by Gregor Reid Woodland Christian High School February 10, 2004

2. What is Aquaculture?

3. Aquaculture is …
the farming of aquatic organisms, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans and aquatic plants.
Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc.
Farming also implies individual or corporate ownership of the stock being cultivated

4. A Brief History of Aquaculture

5. Aquaculture began with rice paddy carp culture in China over 2000 years ago !
This rice paddy shows a typical trench construction to facilitate fish culture

6. Today!

7. About Fish

8. About Fish 20,000 species plus! Huge variation between species
Cold blooded vertebrates
Gills and scales
External fertilization
Chemo, acoustical, electrical perception

9. Comparison to other Animal Production

10. Similarities
Agribusiness
Can be feed trained
Manure composition
Similar photoperiods

11. Differences “3D environment”
Require 24 monitoring (intensive aquaculture)
Excellent feed conversion
Artificial spawning & early rearing
“Fish live in their own toilet”
Cold blooded
Wide range of temperatures
Newly domesticated
Must compete with wild catch

12. World and Regional Production

13. Aqauculture is the fastest
growing sector of the
world food economy!

14. World Aquaculture Production (1999)
Total world fish supply 125 million (mt)
Wild catch fisheries, approximately 92 million (mt).
Food fish production of about 30 million (mt)
China accounts for production of about 10 million (mt)
Canada produces approximately 0.37 million (mt)

15. Aquaculture Production In Ontario (2000)
Major species produced – rainbow trout
Minor species produced – tilapia, Arctic charr, brook trout, small and largemouth bass, cyprinid baitfish
Total trout production – 4000 tonnes
Farm-gate value - $16.5 million
Economic Contribution - $60 – 65 million
Job creation – 230 person-years direct and 250 person – years indirect employment

16. Aquaculture is not a net user of water !

17. Surface Water
Supplies diverted from natural water courses such as ponds, streams or lakes.
Abundant supply
High summer and low winter temperatures (pro/con)
Can be most easily effected by other users

18. Ground Water Supplies diverted from springs, artesian, or pumped wells
Relatively uniform water quality. Usually free of pollutants and pathogens
Ground water temperatures in Ontario well below requirement for optimal growth rate

19. Rearing Systems

20. PONDS
Photo by Richard Moccia

22. AARS OC Tanks
Circular Tanks

23. Raceways
Photo by Richard Moccia

24. Long Tanks

25. Research Tanks

26. CAGE or PEN farm on a lake
Photo by Steve Naylor

27. Lets Visit a Cage Rainbow Trout Farm in Ontario

28. Map 1

29. Map 2

30. Map 3

31. Rainbow Trout Producers
North Wind Fisheries
Rainbow Trout Producers

32. Nutrition and Feeding

33. Nutrition and Feeding It’s almost everything!
The largest fixed cost for Salmonid aquaculture
Determines the extent of nutrient pollution
Feed efficiency and feeding effectiveness will make or break a farm

34. Nutrition Salmonids are piscivores. They eat other fish.
Require diets of 30-35% high quality protein.
Typically about %60 of this protein is fish meal
We artificially pigment cultured salmonids

35. Feed pellets are sized to match the fish

36. Feeding Hand feeding Vibrating feeders Belt feeders Demand Feeders
Pneumatic
Live feeding

37. Hand Feeding Photo

38. 4 Photos of Automated Feeders

39. Viewing Feeding Behavior

40. Reproduction & Early Rearing

41. Photos by Richard Moccia

42. Fry Photo

43. The Business of Aquaculture

44. Business Decisions and Realities
Broker or Producer?
Species?
Hatchery or grow-out?
Production System?
Live, fillets, whole, fresh or frozen?
No marketing co-op in Ontario
Up to 2 years for a return ($) from start up
Business Decisions and Realities

45. Constraints to Production

46. Constraints to Production Photos
Photos by Richard Moccia

47. Aquaculture Legislation & Regulations

48. Everything in Colour is Potentially Regulated

49. Aquaculture and the Environment

50. From Feed to Waste Introduced Feed Converts to Body Mass Ingested Feed
Soluble Waste
Introduced Feed
Solid Waste
Feed
Converts to Body Mass
Ingested Feed
Digested Feed
Non-digested Feed
Uneaten Feed
Soluble Nutrients also Exits the Gills
Digested, Unutilized Nutrients and Metabolized End Products are Excreted as Soluble Waste
Non-digested Feed is Excreted as Solid Waste (fecal matter)
Solid Waste
Settles Out
Dissolves in Water Column
Settles Out
Dissolves in Water Column

51. Other Potential Environmental Problems
Escapes (genetic dilution, disease)
Chemicals and antibiotics
Killing predators
Nutrient waste such as nitrogen and phosphorus (manure)

52. Challenges Facing Aquaculture
The regulatory climate
North American eating habits
Environmental issues
Public relations

53. That’s All